European Council Reaffirms Commitment to Paris Agreement
The European Council adopted a set of conclusions, where it, inter alia, “strongly reaffirms” the commitment of the European Union (EU) and its Member States to “swiftly and fully” implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The European Council met in Brussels, Belgium, from 22-23 June 2017. In its conclusions, the Council also reaffirms the EU’s commitment to contribute to the fulfillment of the climate finance goals, and to continue to lead in the fight against climate change. It notes that the Paris Agreement “remains a cornerstone of global efforts to effectively tackle climate change” and “cannot be renegotiated.”
The European Council’s conclusions recognize the key role of the Paris Agreement in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action. The conclusions further note that the EU will enhance cooperation with international partners under the Paris Agreement, including the most vulnerable countries, thus “demonstrating solidarity with future generations and responsibility for the whole planet.”